From the butcher’s dog, the baker’s dog, and the dog at the sweet-shop,€ said the Retriever. I shall arrange your dinner. Will steak be satisfactory?

Pongo and Missis said it would indeed, and tried to thank him for everything, but he waved their thanks away, saying, It’s a very great honour. We are planning a small plaque to be concealed from human eyes, of course saying: PONGO AND MISSIS SLEPT HERE.

Then he took them to the cobwebbed window and pointed out a smaller edition of himself, who was patrolling the inn courtyard.

My youngest lad, already on guard. He’s hoping to see you for a moment, when you’re rested, and ask for your paw-marks to start his collection. A small guard of honour will see you out of the village, but I shan’t let them waste too much of your time. Good night though it’s really good morning. Pleasant dreams.

As soon as he had gone, Pongo and Missis ate ravenously.

Though perhaps we should not eat too heavily before going to sleep,€ said Pongo, so they left a couple of peppermint creams. (Missis later ate them in her sleep). Then they settled down in the straw, close together, and got warmer and warmer.

Missis said, Do you feel sure our puppies will be well fed and well taken care of?

Quite sure. And they will be safe for a long time, because their spots are nowhere near big enough for a striking fur coat yet. Oh, Missis, how pleasant it is to be on our own like this!€

Missis thumped her tail with joy and with relief. For there had been moments when she had felt not jealous, exactly, but just a bit wistful about Pongo’s affection for Perdita. She loved Perdita, was grateful to her and sorry for her; still well, it was nice to have her own husband to herself, thought Missis. But she made herself say, Poor Perdita! No husband, no puppies! We must never let her feel we want to be on our own.

I do hope she can comfort the Dearlys,€ said Pongo.

She will wash them,€ said Missis and fell asleep.

How gloriously they slept! It was their first really deep sleep since the loss of the puppies. Even the Twilight Barking did not disturb them. It brought good news, which the Retriever told them when he woke them, as soon as it was dark. All was well with the pups, and Lucky sent a message that they were getting more food than they could eat. This gave Pongo and Missis a wonderful appetite for the steaks that were waiting for them.